Promising next 12 months for the UK film industry

The UK film industry had an above-average 2015 according to new statistics released today by the BFI.

The sector spent £1,064 million during Q1-Q3 with principal photography commencing on over 136 films, unfortunately still the lowest number of features since 2009.

Moreover, £565 million was spent on 54+ high-end television programmes during this period according to the BFI.

Despite lower figures than in 2014, last year’s UK-based productions included Spectre, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, and Harry Potter spin-off, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Both are tipped to be money-makers at the box office.

There was also an increase of inward investment in film last year compared to 2012 and 2013. Overall 2016 looks like it could turn out to be a rather fruitful year for the UK film industry.

The Force Awakens

Pinewood Studios made the most of 2015 bringing home £7 million in profit in the six months to September. This impressive sum almost triples what the studio made the previous year.

This has been made possible thanks to the seventh film in the Star Wars saga, which is likely to become the most successful film of all time.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens stars a whole host of British-born actors and was shot in various locations of the UK including Pinewood. The film is actually classified as a British film thanks to its cast, location, and a tax relief scheme initiated by Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne.

Pinewood's corporate affairs director, Andrew Smith told Reuters that: “Clearly the film tax relief has been very successful and it adds to the attractiveness of the UK as a destination.

“It's also about the access to the cameramen, the plasterers, the carpenters, the wigmakers as well as the facilities."